A potential record number of RAGBRAI riders came in waves across Iowa, which meant an opportunity for towns on the route, like Newton, to serve the riders and make some money.
At least, that was the plan.
For the Newton American Legion Post 111, it didn’t go quite that way. After consulting various people, the Legion decided to order 400 cases of beer. They didn’t want to run out or disappoint the riders. Of the 400 cases of beer, the Legion sold only 13 cases.
They spent $12,000, and had a lot of beer left over.